This Air Fryer Turkey Breast will guarantee a stress-free holiday and is an excellent substitute for preparing a whole turkey.
On Thanksgiving, most of your meals should be time-efficient. This air fryer turkey breast is a substitute for preparing an entire bird.
It is flavorful and moist, making it the ideal, uncomplicated holiday main course to share with your loved ones this holiday season.
AIR FRYER TURKEY BREAST
This recipe calls for an approximately 3-pound bone-in or boneless turkey breast. An abundance of flavor emanates from the orange glaze and seasoning.
Even a novice cook can put together an impressive meal with this recipe. Preparing it as the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving dinner will exceed all expectations.
It will surprise your guests that it was prepared in an air fryer.
HOW TO THAW A TURKEY (BREAST)
This recipe works for either frozen or fresh turkeys and turkey breast. If using frozen turkeys, the best way to thaw them is in the refrigerator.
If at all possible, position the poultry on a sizable plate or bowl to prevent the drippings from soaking into other foods in the refrigerator. On average, thawing a small turkey weighing 5 pounds will take at least one day.
If you are using a turkey weighing approximately 17 pounds, it will require four to five days to thoroughly defrost in the refrigerator.
HOW TO PREP A TURKEY BREAST
To prepare a turkey for roasting in the air fryer, you’ll need to do the following steps:
- Remove the gravy package if the breast was accompanied by one, as you will be preparing your own. It is incredibly easy to accomplish. The complete information is below.
- If the bird does not fit in the air fryer, cut the bones beneath the breast and position the bird breast down so that the meat can rest flat in the appliance.
HOW TO MAKE THE ORANGE GLAZE?
Prepare the glaze by adding the orange juice into the small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the honey and the remaining 2 tablespoons of herb butter.
Bring the ingredients to a rapid boil, then remove from the heat once they have liquefied and dissolved completely. Set aside for resting.
WHICH AIR FRYER TO USE
This turkey breast was tested in two different air fryers – Crux 5.3-Qt. Digital Air Convection Fryer, and the 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer (White Icing) by Drew Barrymore. Here’s what we found out.
Crux 5.3-Qt. Digital Air Convection Fryer: When the turkey breast is prepared in this air fryer, it takes less time to cook resulting in a juicy, golden, or lightly charred turkey breast. At 400 degrees then at 350 degrees, the turkey breast was ready in 55 minutes.
In the 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer (White Icing) by Drew Barrymore, the turkey breast took longer to cook as the heat is much more concentrated in this appliance. The temperature was reduced significantly (to 325 degrees) and it took over an hour for the breast to cook.
KEY INGREDIENTS
- Turkey Breast – Buy skin on turkey breast. You can opt for bone-in or boneless turkey breast.
- Spices – Use a combination of dried herbs and ground spices to create the rub.
- Orange Juice – Best if you can use fresh orange juice. However, store-bought orange juice will also work. The juice will add some acidity and brightness to our turkey breast.
- Butter – Unsalted. This will also help to brown the turkey and will also be used in the orange juice mixture/glaze.
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS
Russet Potatoes – About 5 medium size Russet potatoes (or more if needed), cut in wedges.
Baby Carrots – To roast with the potatoes.
On a small baking sheet, add the ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste, and about 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes. Roast at 350 degrees until cooked through.
Additionally, broccoli sprouts or florets may be incorporated into the mélange.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Depending on its dimensions, bone-in turkey breast requires approximately 20 minutes per pound to cook.
A turkey breast requires a shorter cooking time in comparison to a whole turkey. Even less time is required to roast the turkey breast in the air fryer.
The turkey breast took a little more than sixty minutes to cook. This recipe can be utilized for both a whole and half turkey breast.
The turkey breast should be cooked to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Utilizing a meat thermometer to determine when the desired temperature has been attained is strongly advised.
Most recipes specify that the turkey should be cooked at 160 degrees Fahrenheit, removed from the oven, and covered with aluminum foil until it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
That is unnecessary in the case of this recipe. The meat may be cooked until it reaches its maximum temperature. Rest assured; it will not become dry.
HOW DO YOU REHEAT TURKEY BREAST?
Poultry tends to be dry if reheated repeatedly. However, if you need to reheat the turkey breast, I recommend putting the meat in a baking tray, covering it with aluminum foil, and reheat until heated through at 225 degrees.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
I like to serve my roasted turkey breast with classic holiday side dishes. Some of my favorites include candied carrots, deviled eggs, cauliflower mash, and collard greens.
PRO-TIP TO MAKE THIS DISH
Be mindful of the air fryer you have. It is best to use an air fryer that can hold a 5-pound whole chicken. The turkey breast used in this recipe is about 3 ½ pounds.
Turkey breast is traditionally cooked for an estimated duration of 20 minutes per pound.
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES TO ENJOY
If you loved this Air fryer Turkey Breast Recipe, we recommend you must this air fryer Oreos, this roasted acorn slices, and this air-fried okra recipe.
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Air Fryer Turkey Breast Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Turkey Breast Ingredients
- 3 ½ Lbs. Turkey Breast; Bone-in or Boneless
- 1 Tbsp. Parsley Flakes
- 1 Tbsp. Dried Basil
- 2 tsp. Paprika
- 1 ½ tsp. Kosher Salt
- ½ tsp. Ground Black Pepper
- 1 ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
- 1 ½ tsp. Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp. Ground Cloves
- 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
- ½ tsp. Red Pepper Flakes; Optional
Orange Coating Juice (Glaze) Ingredients
- ¾ Orange Juice
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp. Herb Butter Mixture
- ½ cup Honey
Homemade Gravy Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ cup Chicken Broth or you may use vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp. Herb Butter
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the turkey breast. In a small bowl, mix the spices together. Coat the turkey breast with the spice mixture.
- Bone-In Turkey Breast: Place the meat in the air fryer breast up to cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Boneless Turkey Breast: Place the meat in the air fryer basket and cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. While the turkey is cooking, prepare the glaze. This step will allow you to be ready to baste the turkey after the 20 minutes are up.
- After 20 minutes, baste the turkey with the glaze. Then turn the turkey breast and continue to baste. Transfer the turkey breast back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 35 minutes at 350 degrees. Baste in every 10 minutes. Continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the meat without touching bone registers 165 degrees F (per FDA regulations)
How To Make Orange Mixture and Homemade Gravy
- Prepare the glaze by adding all of the ingredients into a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a quick boil then remove from the heat. Set aside to rest. Use to baste the turkey breast.How To Make Homemade Gravy:Heat up the herb butter mixture on medium-low heat. Add 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour. Whisk well and slowly add 1 ½ cup chicken broth. Mix well. Add more liquid if too thick. Continue whisking until smooth and the sauce starts to thicken up. Serve with the turkey.
Video
Notes
- Be mindful of the air fryer you have. Larger air fryers typically holds a 5 lbs. whole chicken. The turkey breast used in this recipe is about 3 ½ lbs.
- If you have a larger air fryer, double the ingredients to make it work for you.
- Turkey breast cooks for approximately 20 minutes per pound.
- If the turkey is browning too quickly, reduce the temperature on the air fryer.
Anjali says
I had no idea you could make turkey in the air fryer but this looks like such an easier way to cook turkey! Can’t wait to try this for the holidays!
Jess says
Such an easy way to make turkey when you don’t want to cook a whole turkey!
Charles says
Thank you for this great Air Fryer Turkey Breast recipe! Looks healthy and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Nikki says
Herb butter and an orange glaze, count me in on this delicious turkey breast.
Masha says
Can I use brined Turkey breast?
Mirlene says
Hi Masha,
Yes, you can use brined Turkey breast.
Mary says
I never thought of using an air fryer for turkey, but this looks so good!
Mirlene says
Thank you, Mary!
Dannii says
That skin looks perfect. I definitely need to try this in an air fryer
Kate says
Such a great idea, something new to try! Thanks for sharing.
Sue says
You convinced me that I really need to get an air fryer, that bird looks PERFECT!
Mirlene says
Thank you!
Julia says
This looks amazing! Wouldn’t have thought of using air fryer to cooker turkey breast in it but can’t wait to try it. 🙂
Mirlene says
Enjoy!